Facelift Surgery

Facelift Surgery and Neck Rejuvenation

Dr Imani’s goal in facelift surgery is for his patients to look refreshed and younger yet keep their natural facial appearance. Facelift surgery is the ultimate in facial rejuvenation and has become one of the most popular and well-known forms of plastic surgery. Unlike non invasive treatments such as lasers, wrinkle relaxers and wrinkle fillers, facelift procedures actually reposition the deeper structures of the face making the face and neck appear smoother and more defined. More and more ageing people want to look as youthful as they feel physically and mentally. We can conceal an ageing body with good attire and do exercise to keep toned, however it’s not so easy to hide the signs of an ageing face!

Who benefits from a facelift?

As we age, our face and neck show the effects of gravity, excess sun exposure, smoking, and the stresses of daily living. Fine lines become wrinkles, creases form between the nose and mouth; the jaw line grows slack and droops forming jowls; skin folds and fat deposits appear around the neck. The number of chins may also multiply! These changes can give us a tired or angry look. If you are concerned with any of these changes facelift surgery could improve your looks.

A facelift can be performed on its own or as part of a total facial rejuvenation. A facelift usually means a face and neck lift. It is designed to tighten the jowls and the loose neck skin. Several variations of surgeries are available depending on your individual needs. A facelift does not lift the eyebrow (seeBrow Lift ) or smooth the lines around the eyes or mouth. These concerns can however be addressed at the same time as a facelift which provides for a harmonised facial rejuvenation. Skin conditioning, laser resurfacing and the use of injectable materials such as dermal fillers and/or wrinkle relaxers, can further enhance the rejuvenation of your face. At your consultation with Dr Imani, possible remedies for any specific problem you see in your face will be addressed in detail. No matter what the plan, Dr Imani's goal remains the same: to produce natural, not over-pulled skin with long lasting results.

The best candidate for a facelift is a man or woman whose face and neck have begun to sag, but whose skin still has some elasticity and whose bone structure is strong and well defined. Most patients are in their forties to sixties, but facelifts can be done successfully on people in their seventies or eighties if they are fit and healthy.

Click here to contact IMANI Facial Plastic Surgery and Cosmetic Specialists for a consultation for your facelift in Perth.

Some people have a facelift once and then undergo no further surgery. On the other hand, some people enjoy the benefits and after 10 years they may wish for a further touch-up procedure. Much of the duration of the facelift depends upon the individual's lifestyle and their tendency to undergo further ageing.

What does the surgery involve?

Incisions usually begin above the hairline at the temples, extend in a natural line inside the cartilage at the front of your ear, and continue behind the earlobe to the lower scalp behind the ear. This helps hide the scars. The skin is separated from the underlying tissues and gently smoothed back to relieve the redundant folds. Tightening of the underlying muscles of the face is performed with special techniques (MAC lifting - Minimal Access Cranial Suspension) in order to provide this smoother skin a solid foundation to rest upon. The excess skin is then removed and the remaining skin is brought back into position. Following surgery, a small thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin, behind your ear, to drain any fluid that might collect there. We wrap your head loosely in bandages to minimize bruising and swelling. The dressing is removed and replaced the next day.

The surgery is performed on an outpatient or inpatient basis. You can resume non-stressful activities during the first week. In about 7-10 days you can wear camouflage makeup and resume most normal activities. The healing process with a facelift is gradual and final healing may take several weeks.

Are there risks involved?

Yes. There are risks involved in all medical procedures. Dr Imani will gladly discuss and disclose all possible risks, benefits and alternatives involved at the time of consultation. Our practice staff will provide you with written procedure specific information sheets after your consultation.

Post Operative Recovery

There is unlikely to be any significant discomfort after surgery; simple analgesics as prescribed by Dr Imani are sufficient. The face and neck are particularly sensitive to swelling and a certain degree of bruising is to be expected. Albeit rare, severe or persistent pain or a sudden swelling of your face should be reported to us immediately. The use of cold compresses in the first few days after surgery is extremely comforting and will minimise bruising and swelling. Some numbness of the skin is quite normal; it will disappear in a few weeks or months. You will need to keep your head elevated and as still as possible for a couple of days after surgery, to keep the swelling down.

If you’ve had a drainage tube inserted, it will be removed one or two days after surgery. Bandages, when used, are usually removed after one to five days. Your skin may look pale, bruised, and puffy but this will return to normal. Most of your stitches will be removed after five days (if you have not had absorbable stitches inserted). Your scalp may take longer to heal, and the stitches or metal clips in your hairline could be left in a few days longer.

You should be up and about in a day or two, but plan on taking it easy for the first week after surgery. Be especially gentle with your face and hair, since your skin will be both tender and numb. Avoid strenuous activity for at least two weeks (walking and mild stretching is fine). Avoid alcohol, steam baths, and saunas for several weeks and limit your exposure to the sun for several months. Above all, get plenty of rest.

Scars are barely visible as they are usually hidden by your hair or in the natural creases of your face and ears. Your face will continue to age with time, however, the effects of the facelift are lasting. Years later, you will continue to look better and as if you had never had a facelift at all.

Anaesthesia:

General anaesthesia (fully asleep) or local anaesthesia with sedation (twilight anaesthesia, fully unaware).

In/Outpatient:

Overnight stay with a nurse in an accredited hospital. Depending on the patient and the extent of the surgery, the procedure can be performed as a day case.

Length of Surgery:

2-6 hours.

After Surgery:

The bandage is removed and replaced the next day. Your hair is washed and any drains that may have been placed are removed. You will be encouraged to rest with your head elevated with two to four pillows for the next seven days.